Garbage grinder



1911.2, 1951 K M, HAMMELL 2,536,929

` GARBAGE 9111111123 .17 77//TNE Y.

-4 Jan. 2, 1951 K M. HAMMELL 2,535,929

GARBAGE GRINDER Filed oct. 18, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. 'XXe/fer M /zdlfzlfzczl BY A Patented Jan. 2, 1951 GARBAGE GRINDER Kemper M. Hammell, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Eureka. Williams Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Application October 18, 1945, Serial No. 623,048

13 Claims. (Cl. 241-88) vide:

A new and improved garbage grinder;

A garbage grinder in which means are provided for more eiliciently reducing certain types of food waste material that are diiiicult to handle, such as citrus rinds, gristle, and some forms of bones.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and will be understood by reference yto the accompanying drawings, of which there are two sheets, which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as of a garbage grinder embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the liner 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of part of the stationary teeth;

Fig. 4 is a vhorizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1 but with certain parts shown in section.;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through one of the hammers ta"en along the line 5 5 of Fig. 4: and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the stationary shredder ring.

As illustrated the device is adapted to be attached to the drain outlet of a sink for receivinggarbage to be reduced and waterwhich is useful in helping to reduce garbage and to flush away the reduced material. The outlet from the sink forms an inlet I0 to a chamber I2 which is circular in cross section. The chamber I2 is dened by suitable casing members I 4, I6 and I8 suitably connected together, the transverse wall at the upper end of the member I8 forming'the bottom wall of the chamber I2. The members I6 and I8 are also formed to provide an annular trough 22 from which'leads a discharge pipe 24 which is adapted to be connected to a sewage waste disposal system.

The casing I2 at its bottom is formed in part by a cylindrical shredder ring 26 which surrounds the outer periphery of the bottom wall 20 and projects upwardly therefrom, the ring 26 being clamped in position by and between suitable surfaces provided on the casingmembers I6 and I8. The ring 26 divides the lower end of the chamber I2 from the trough 22. The ring 26 is provided with a series of relatively small openings or slots 28 at the level of the bottom wall 28 of the chamber I2 and which openings 28 collectively form an outlet for reduced material from the chamber I2, permitting the discharge of such reduced material into the trough 22.

The openings 28 are relatively small and are spaced from cach other and extend completely around the bottom of the chamber I2. The size of each of the openings 28 determines the size of the material which is discharged into the trough 22.

The shredder ring 26 is also formed to provide a series of vertically extending teeth 30 around the bottom of the casing I2, there being one tooth at the trailing end of each of the openings 28. Each tooth 30 preferably projects upwardly materially beyond the upper end of the openings 28.

The ring 26 is also formed to provide a plurality of inwardly extending teeth 32 which may be formed by inwardly deflecting the cutting edge of a tooth 30. 'Ihe teeth 32 may thus comprise somewhat circular cutting edges which project radially inwardly beyond the cutting edges of the teeth 30. I have illustrated four teeth 32. two of which are spaced 180 apart and arranged adjacent the upper ends of the teeth 30, while two are spaced from the each of the aforesaid teeth and disposed in a lower plane `but above the openings 28. A

Means are provided for impelling material against the teeth 30 and 32 for reducing such material and for impelling reduced material outwardly through the slots or openings 28, and such means comprise a pair of hammers 34, each of which is pivoted on a vertical axis at 36 to the arms 38 of a hub 48 fixed for rotation to the shaft 42 of an electric motor 44. The motor 44 is fixed relative to the casing member I8. The shaft 42 projects through an opening into the wall 2i) and thereabove. A seal 46 is provided between the opening in the wall 28 and the shaft 42 so as to prevent the escape of liquid and other materials from the chamber I2 and around the shaft 42. The arms 38 are provided with pins 3l which project into suitable bearings at the inner ends of the hammers 34 and form a pivot for the hammers so as to permit them to swing in a plane normal to the axis 36.

The hammers 34 and the hub 40 are constructed and arranged relative to each other so that the hammers may swing through an arc of approximately 180 relative to their pivot; that is, from their full line position as shown in Fig. 4 to the dotted line position. The outer ends of each of the hammers are notched as indicated at 50 so as to accommodate the teeth 32, the notches 50 indicating the relative position of the upper and lower teeth 32 on the ring 26.

In addition the forward edges of the hammers 34 at their outer ends thereof are provided with serrations or teeth 52 which are vertically arranged, these teeth 52 functioning to engage material with which the hammers come in contact during rotation of the impelling means.

The hammers 34 and the hub 40 rotate about the axis of the shaft 42, the hammers 34 functioning as impellers to project material on the bottom wall of the chamber i2 against the teeth and through the openings 28. The pivotal mounting of the hammers 34 on the hub 40 permits the hammers 34 to yield or swing backwardly in the event that their path of movement is obstructed. The hub 40 may be driven at a speed of approximately 1700 R. P. M. and in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4. The centrifugal force of the mass of the hammers 34 will tend to maintain them in their extended position as illustrated in full line so as to impelvmaterial on the bottom wall 20 of the chamber against the teeth 30 and 32.

The teeth 52 on the hammers enable the hammers to engage and hold material, which, because of vthe nature of it, might tend to slide over the top of the hammers 34, and to press such material against teeth 30 and 32 during rotation of the hammers. The inwardly projecting teeth 32 will function to prevent certain types of material, such as citrus rind, gristle and certain forms of bones, from riding around on the bottom wall of the chamber ahead of the hammers without being acted on by the teeth 30. That is, the teeth 32 will cooperate with the ends of the hammers 34 to act on material and help to expedite reduction thereof.

Each of the hammers 34 may include an upwardlv proiecting step cutter 60 which faces in the direction of rotation of the hammers and helps to break up material which might be disposed above the plane of the hammers 34. The cutters 60 will also function to prevent material from jamming in the chamber i 2 above the hammers 34.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that this is capable of modification. and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set 'forth but desire to avail myself of such vchanges and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a garbage grinder a chamber having a bottom wall, a ring extending upwardly from said wall around the periphery thereof, said ring being provided with slots and teeth, rotary impeller means arranged to sweep material on said wall against said teeth for reducing such material and to project redhced material through said slots, certain of said teeth having a tooth portion extending radially inwardly thereof, the outer vertical edge of said impeller means being notched -to have an interdigitated relation with said inwardly extending tooth portion, the leading side of said impeller means also being pro- 4 vided adjacent the outer end thereof with teeth arranged normal to said notch.

2. In a garbage grinder a chamber having a.

stationary bottom wall, a continuous saw tooth surface of cylindrical form defining upright teeth which are disposed around the periphery of said wall, means providing a discharge outlet from said chamberrotary impeller means arranged to traverse said wall and to sweep material thereon against said teeth for reducing such material and to project reduced material through said outlet, and tooth means extending inwardly of the aforesaid teeth and within the rotational orbit of and underneath a portion of said impeller means, said tooth means comprising integral projections of certain of said teeth.

3. Garbage grinder construction as defined in claim 2 wherein said impeller means comprises a hammer pivoted to swing in a plane normal to the axis of said chamber and about an axis parallel to but o'set from said chamber axis, the outer end of said hammer being notched to accommodate said inwardly extending teeth.

4. Garbage grinder construction as defined in claim 2 wherein said impeller means comprises a hammer pivoted to swing in a plane normal to the axis of said chamber and about an axis parallel to but offset from said chamber axis, the outer end of said hammer being providedI lwith teeth.

5. In a garbage grinder a chamber having a bottom wall with teeth disposed around the periphery of said bottom wall and means providing a discharge outlet from said chamber, rotary impeller means comprising a hammer pivoted to swing in a plane normal to the axis of said chamber and about an axis parallel to but oilset from said chamber axis, said hammer being arranged to sweep material on said wall against said teeth for reducing such material and to project reduced material through said outlet, said hammer being provided on the leading side of the outer end thereof with serrations extending transversely of the path of movement of said hammer, said serrations forming teeth which aid in preventing movement of chunks of material to be reduced past' the ends of said' hammer during operation of said` grinder, said serrations and said teeth cooperating to dene converging, relatively movable Acutting surfaces for reducing material confined therebetween.

6. In a garbage grinder a chamber having a bottom wall, a ring extending upwardly from said wall around the periphery thereof, said ring being provided with slots and vertically extending teeth, rotary impeller means comprising a hammer pivoted to swing in a plane normal to the axis of said chamber and about an axis parallel to but offset from said chamber axis, said hammer being arranged to sweep material on said wall against said teeth for reducing such material and to project reduced material through said slots. said ring having cutting edges extending inwardly relative to the aforesaid teeth. the end of said hammer being notched to accommodate said inwardly extending cutting edge and said hammer being provided on the outer end thereof with,

rotary impeller means comprising a hammer.

pivoted to swing in a plane normal to the axis of said chamber and about an axis parallel to but offset from said chamber axis, said hammer being arranged to sweep material on said wall against said teeth for reducing such material and to project reduced material through said slots, said ring having teeth vextending inwardly from .the aforesaid teeth, the end of said hammer being recessed to have an overlapping relation with said inwardly extending teeth and said hammer being provided on the outer end thereof with serrations disposed forwardly and transversely of said recessed end.

8.'In a garbage grinder a chamber provided with an outlet and having vertically extending cutting surfaces disposed around the periphery of said chamber at the outlet end thereof, rotary impeller means comprising a hammer pivoted to swing in a plane normal to the axis of said chamber and about an axis parallel to but offset from said chamber axis, said hammer being operable to impel material in said chamber against said cutting surfaces, and additional cutting surfaces projecting inwardly of and formed integrally with the aforesaid cutting surfaces Afor av 10. A garbage grinder as dened in claim 8 wherein said additional cutting surfaces are arranged in staggered relationship.

11. Garbage disposal apparatus" comprising a vertically disposed hopper, an inlet for garbage and water at the top-of said hopper, an outlet for reduced material at the bottom of said hopper, said hopper being adapted to convey said garbage and water within the inner wall thereof from said inlet to said outlet, cutting tooth means arranged on said inner 'wall adjacent said outlet and rotary means disposed for rotation in the bottom of said hopper, said rotary means comprising a. lplurality of hammers mounted on an axis rotating about but disposedy in parallel relation to the axis of said rotary means, said hammers having arcuate leading edges adapted to rotate said garbage and rotation thereof by said rotary means, and said hammers being provided with vertically extending teeth on said arcuateleading edges thereof. said teeth extending along said leading edges from adjacent the outer extremities of said hammers toward said hammer axes, said teeth aiding in preventing movement of chunks of material to be reduced past the ends of said hammers during operation of -said apparatus, said cutting tooth means and said teeth on said hammers cooperating to denne converging, relatively movable cutting surfaces for reducing material confined therebetween.

12. Garbage disposal apparatus comprising s vertically disposed hopper, an inlet for garbage and water at the top of said hopper. and outlet for reduced material at the bottom of said hopper, said hopper being adapted to convey ssid garbage l and water within the inner wail thereof from said inlet to said outlet, cutting tooth means arranged on said inner wall adjacent said outlet and rotary means disposed for rotation in the bottom of said hopper, said rotary means comprising a plurality of hammers mounted on an axis rotating about but disposed in parallel relation to the axis of said rotary means, said hammers being adapted to rotate said garbage and water around the interior of said hopper and to project said reduced material through said outlet, said hammers being rotatable about said hammer axes by the forces opposing the rotation of said garbage and water against said teeth, in a direction opposite the rotation of said rotary means and against the centrifugal force involved in the rotation thereof by said.rotary means, and said hammers being provided with teeth on the leading edges thereof, said teeth vextending along said leading edges from adjacent the outer extremities of said hammers toward said hammer axes, said outer extremities of said hammers being rotatable in orbits outside the inner extremities of said cutting tooth means and into interdigitated relation with respect thereto when said hammers are extended by said centrifugal force involved` in rotating said hammers. said hopper outlet being formed to exclude garbage material and to permit `the continuous rotation thereof by said rotary means until said garbage material is reduced to a fluid pulpous state.

13. Garbage-disposal apparatus comprising a vertically disposed hopper, an inlet for garbage and water at the top of said hopper, an outlet for reduced material at the bottom of said hopper,

said hopper being adapted to convey said garbage and water within the inner wall thereof from said inlet to said outlet, cutting tooth means arranged on said inner Iwall adjacent said outlet and rotary means disposed for rotation in the bottom of said hopper, said rotary means comprising a plurality of hammers mounted on an axis rotating Labout but disposed inparallel'relation to the axis of said rotary means, said hammers having arcuate leading edges adapted to rotate said garbage and water around the interior of said Ahopper and to project said reduced material through said outlet, said hammers being rotatable about said hammer axes by the force opposing the rotation of said garbage and water against said teeth, in a direction opposite the rotation of said rotary means and against the centrifugal force involved in the rotation thereof by said rotary means, said cutting tooth means and said arcuate leading edges cooperating to define converging, relatively movable surfaces for reducing material conilned therebetween.

KEMPER M. HAMMIEILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kinsey Oct. 27, 1914 Ott Apr. 27. 1886 Ancel Feb. 5, 1907 l Williams Nov. 18,. 1913 Philipp Oct. 1 6. 1928 Ammon May 21. 1929 McMahan Oct. 23. 1934 Powers June 15. 1943 Coss et al. May 27. 1947 Green Oct. '1. 1947 

